Got an email from The Catholic Company with a sale on books about the four temperament types. Anyway, temperaments come up quite often in discussions with people in our lives and I'm always interested in the different types of people there are. In the advertisement for the books, I really liked the summary of the four temperaments...

Choleric: Enthusiasm, energy, intelligence, and a strong will. A classic go-getter who takes charges and gets things accomplished. Extraverted and self-confident, comfortable taking charge. Will always let you know what he is thinking. Values success, optimistic, extremely rational. Can grasp the big picture. Not a very good listener and hates to waste time! Does not like to delegate, is often quick to judge or form opinions and quickly drives ahead, often without planning.

Melancholic: Values the ideal (truth, beauty, justice, all that is noble). Thoughtful, pius, likes solitude and reflection. Sensitive and idealistic, tends to be introverted, deeply concerned with injustice and vice. Principled, consistent, faithful, and persevering, orderly, diligent, and detail oriented. Can often be critical or judgmental of others who don't "measure up." Slower to react, but the reactions last a long time.

Sanguine: Creative, fun-loving, high-spirited, tendency to look on the bright side and seek adventure. Enjoys people and lives "in the moment". Does not dwell on the past and is very optimistic. Enterprising and creative, enjoys inspiring others. Quick to react and quick to make new friends. Eye for detail and appearances. Eager to please. Can be inconsistent, superficial, and impulsive. Often talks before thinking.

Phlegmatic: Reserved, prudent, sensible, reflective, respectful, and dependable. Not easily insulted or provoked. Not exuberant in speech or action. Loyal, committed, supportive. Iron-willed. Often able to diffuse tense situations and is calm under pressure. Very balanced. Excellent listener. Thoughtful in speech. Do not like conflict and confrontation. Dependable, punctual and orderly, but have a tendency to be introverted. Sometimes thought to be unassertive and lacking in spontaneity.

I know which one I am, what are you?

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Here's a good article with steps for Fathers to be successful in marriage and fatherhood. I know I am challenged daily and it's good to tuck away these steps as a reminder of how important being a husband and father is.

The article also caught my eye as it features this great quote from Pope John Paul II...

Pope John Paul II wrote: "The history of mankind, the history of salvation, passes by way of the family . . . the family is placed at the center of the great struggle between good and evil, between life and death, between love and all that is opposed to love. To the family is entrusted the task of striving, first and foremost, to unleash the forces of good, the source of which is found in Christ the Redeemer of man."

How can you not be fired up after a quote like that!

Read 8 Habits of Highly Successful Fathers at Fathers for Good

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Read a new post at Catholic Dads about New Novena for Families and I wanted to share.

Fr. Francisco Faus of São Paulo, Brazil has added the Novena For Families (click to print), to the other popular Novenas, Novena for Work and the Novena for the Sick.

Here's a quick note about the Novena for Families...

This Novena, prepared for couples by Fr Francisco Faus, aims to ask God through the intercession of St Josemaría, for the grace to maintain or continually improve a truly Christian family, on the bedrock of the love for Christ and the example of the Holy Family, the foundations on which — with the grace of the Holy Spirit — every Christian family should be built.

I'm looking forward to praying this Novena for Families with my family. One of the staples of my prayer list is from St. Josemaria Escriva, his booklet Praying the Rosary with St. Josemaria Escriva, is one of my favorite ways to say the Rosary.

Photo from Josemaria Escriva. Founder of Opus Dei

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Just wanted to share a quick note about this talk I listened to. It's call "Manager of His Home" and it's by Steve Maxwell of www.titus2.com. It's packed with scripture references and insight specifically for homeschooling dads and their homes. If you get a chance, I highly recommend it! Mr. Maxwell really dives into the husband as the head of the home and family and helps point you in the right direction to raising and teaching your kids and strengthening your relationship with your wife in the process. I've only listened to disc one so far, but am looking forward to part 2.

For more info, you can visit www.titus2.com. We discovered the site from my sister-in-law (who I borrowed the talk from as well) as they feature products for helping you organize and schedule your home and homeschool. Homeschooling is a very difficult endeavor, but the rewards are countless. If you're thinking about it or have any questions, drop me an email at jeremy@goodsaints.com.

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A major announcement was made at the Marian Conference XVIII last weekend about the future of the Marian Center as current directors Josh and Lori Mercer will be turning over the reigns to Bryan and Julie Tuck. This is a blessed occasion as the Marian Center begins a new chapter serving the Catholic faithful in northern Michigan.

I currently serve on the board of directors for the Marian Center and will be helping Bryan as he brings his strong graphic design and website marketing background to the online presence of this apostolate. Follow the link below for some info about the Tuck Family and audio of their introductory speech at the Marian Conference.

Read Our move to the Marian Center in Petoskey, Mi at Crown12Media.com

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I've been meaning to talk briefly about Fathers for Good, an initiative for men by the Knights of Columbus, for some time now.

The site features tons of information for Catholic Fathers, who need all the help they can get raising good catholic children. I recently watched a great video titled Our Troubled Times by Psychiatrist Richard Fitzgibbons. He talks about men and their emotions and how to handle today's troubles in society. It's well worth watching (especially the part on manly virtues) and you can watch it here.

Also on the site is a section called Model Fathers, which features great information on two of my favorite saints and one of my favorite "saints" - St. Joseph, St. Thomas More, and Venerable Servant of God Father Michael McGivney (In March 2008, Pope Benedict XVI approved a decree recognizing the heroic virtue of Father McGivney, a parish priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford and found of the Knights of the Columbus, who died in 1890 at the age of 38).

I am a member of the Knights of Columbus and love the work they are doing to help Catholic Families. Every day I see more and more the battle ahead that we have to raise our children and it's good to know that we are not alone physically or spiritually. St. Joseph, St. Thomas More, and Venerable Father McGivney - Pray for Us!

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